The Durban University of Technology’s HIV and AIDS Centre will be hosting the 5th annual Silent Protest March on the 21 August 2019. The first DUT Silent Protest was held in August 2015 in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and received the support of over a thousand students and staff members.

DUT Silent Protest aims to raise awareness not only about gender based violence but also to show solidarity with survivors of violence. These issues are of particular importance especially in view of recent events at higher education institutions both locally and nationally. With our themes #I am Affected, #I Can Relate, #I am a Survivor, we aim to uncover ALL the different layers and break the silence around gender based violence, femicide and the pervasive rape culture in our communities etc, as well as stigmatizing survivors of these heinous acts.

Studies show an undeniable correlation between gender- based violence and HIV/AIDS, which warrants our immediate intervention. The DUT Silent Protest provides a platform to engage higher education students from the Durban Metro, but also the broader community on the continued stigma and silence around gender based violence. Since our advocacy is in the context of HIV/AIDS, we further advocate for improved access to Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Please kindly note that this is a whole day event which will begin with a short morning session inclusive or play and dialogue, followed by the protest march from Ritson campus into Steve Biko Road, pass Winterton Residence into ML Sultan campus and back to Ritson campus where a die-in will take place.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date:             21 August 2019

Time:            09h00 – 15h00

Venue:         Durban University of Technology-Marque at Ritson Campus

 To sign up follow this link: https://www.dut.ac.za/silent-protest-sign-up-form/

 For more details about the event kindly contact the DUT-HIV and AIDS Centre, on 031 373 2260/2287/2440 or email: HivandAids@dut.ac.za or thobilez@dut.ac.za or siphesihlen1@dut.ac.za